The striker struggled to make his mark in England after signing for the Magpies during the 2013/14 season.
De Jong had a half-season loan spell from Gladbach that year.
The striker believes that he is capable of playing at the top level but the club wasn’t right for his style of play.
He said (cited by Shields Gazette): “I have indeed played in Germany and England, but the clubs were not the right ones for my game. I was never afraid that it would not work abroad a third time. I was very confident that I wanted to do this.